Day 2. Financial and Legal London

After our lunch break at the Royal Exchange we only had a few steps to walk to the next place on our itinerary – the Bank of England Museum. It’s a little known museum with free entry and is only open Monday to Friday from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. The Bank of England, affectionately referred to as ‘The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street’ where it has its main door, invites visitors into its museum via its Bartholomew Lane entrance. On entering the foyer there was airline type security but this didn’t take long as the museum was very quiet. We were then handed two booklets entitled ‘Your Money and the Financial System’ and ‘Your Money – What the Bank Does’ both of which we have found very interesting.

Setting Monetary Policy GalleryIt was our first visit here and we found the exhibits fascinating. There’s something for everyone from interactive displays for children to several interesting galleries.

Visitors can feel how heavy a gold bar isThese focused on: Navigating financial storms, the History of the Bank since it was founded n 1694 and the Modern Economy 1946 to present. In the Banknote Gallery we could inspect the new £5 polymer banknote which will come into circulation in the autumn. Some exhibits are displayed in the beautiful Rotunda which is surrounded by statues called caryatids which were original features of the bank. There is also a small gift shop where you can buy ‘coin’ key rings and other souvenirs.

Relaxing on the Lawns of the Inner TempleAfter gaining some economic knowledge it was off to visit the legal world at the Inner Temple. To get there we boarded a bus to Blackfriars and walked along the Embankment to the splendid entranceway (see feature image above). The Inner Temple is one of four Inns of Court which are incorporated associations and have been in existence since the 14th century. The role of the Inner Temple is to recruit student members, train aspiring barristers and provide continuing professional development for established barristers. The Inn has over 8,000 qualified members including judges, members and pupils.

Wisteria with Barristers’ ChambersIf you haven’t visited before you will be surprised at the size of the estate – small leafy courtyards and cobbled lanes filled with barristers’ chambers. You can visit the 12th century Temple Church originally the home of the Knights Templar – it’s full of medieval effigies and stone heads along with the peaceful Inner Temple Garden. The garden is open to the public between 12.30 and 3.00 pm weekdays and entrance is via the main gates opposite Crown Office Row. The Inner Temple Garden covers three acres and has many specimen trees and wide herbaceous borders which were full of colour. Interestingly, we noted that the garden would be holding a Chelsea Flower Show ‘Fringe Event’ of posy making – which sounded fun! If you find yourself walking along the Embankment one afternoon, do pop in for a wander round and a few minutes of peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of central London – I’m sure you’ll like it and with the exception of the Temple Church, it’s completely free!

Piccadilly CircusLeaving the garden, we strolled along the Embankment a short distance to Temple underground station and enjoyed afternoon tea on Piccadilly before looking round Liberty’s which is always a delight. The store is so inviting with its timber framed Tudor inspired building, it’s on Great Marlborough Street with a rear door leading onto the once trendy pedestrianised Carnaby Street.

The Royal Barge, GlorianaFeeling hungry we headed along the Jubilee Line to London Bridge for dinner near the Tower of London then had a short stroll around the nearby St. Katharine’s Dock where we noticed the Royal Barge, ‘Gloriana’. The Royal Barge was commissioned for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and was the lead vessel in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. Sometimes the barge is moored at Richmond as we have noticed it there, too.

We’ve been inside the Bank of England years ago on one of those Heritage Open Days and found it utterly fascinating. The museum hasn’t really been on my radar, but it sounds great so another place to add to the London list. I always love a peek in Liberty’s too and how great you saw Gloriana!